Pull-up station with rotary handles and footrest

ABSTRACT

A training device for pulling up your own body weight from a fully or partially horizontal body position of which the operating principle is based on the rotation of the handles so that the user&#39;s feet remain pressed against the footrest whilst performing the pull-ups.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several tools known for body pull-ups. A common tool is a pullrod that can be attached to a wall. One disadvantage of this instrumentis that raising the body is too heavy an exercise to perform once orrepeatedly for many.

Another common tool is a frame to enable horizontal pull-ups. In thisexercise, the body is pulled up from a wholly or partly horizontal bodyposition, during which the feet continue to rest on the ground whilstlying on your back. The frame is fitted with handles above the user'supper body in order to perform a pull-up. Because the feet continue torest on the ground during this exercise, the body weight is distributedacross the arms and legs, making this less of a strenuous exercise thanthe one in which the entire body weight is pulled up.

One disadvantage of the frame for horizontal pull-ups is that, if theexercise is performed with the legs stretched out, a horizontallydirected force is exerted onto the feet, with this force working inopposite direction when pulling up and lowering the body. Thishorizontal force is caused due to the distance between the point atwhich the feet rest on the ground, and the handles of the frameremaining the same, while the distance between the hands and the feetbecomes smaller, as the arms are moved towards the body from a positionstretched out in front of the body. The horizontal force causes the feetto want to slide over the ground, as a result of which the exercisecannot be performed smoothly. A known solution is to perform theexercise with bent legs, during which the soles of the feet rest on theground. However, one disadvantage of this form is that the body's centerof gravity is closer to the feet compared to when the legs are stretchedout, making the pull-ups less strenuous.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a training device that is suitablefor pulling up your own body from a fully or partially horizontal bodyposition, whilst not too strenuous for a person of average physicalfitness and strength in order to repeat the exercise multiple times andnot too easy to be tiring after a limited number of repetitions. To thisend, the present invention makes it possible to pull up with legsstretched out from a fully or partially horizontal body position,without an alternating forward and rearward horizontal force beingexerted onto the feet. This objective is achieved by the presentinvention in the form of a training device for pulling up your own bodyweight from a fully or partially horizontal body position, consisting ofat least one or multiple uprights with at least two handles attached toit for the user's hands, a footrest where the feet can be pressedagainst, and a connecting piece between the uprights and the footrest,in which construction the handles can rotate towards the footrest withthe center of rotation located below or close to the user's upper body,in such a way that the user can perform a pull-up while the feet remainpressed against the rest.

Furthermore, the training device, thanks to the present invention,offers the option of making further adjustments so that the body can bepulled up in different ways. A number of such adjustments will bediscussed later on in this document.

As such, the aim of the present invention has been achieved. Theoperating principle of the present invention is based on the rotation ofthe handles as described above, so that the user's feet remain pressedagainst the footrest whilst performing the pull-ups. The advantage ofthis principle is that the user's body is well-positioned, allowing theuser to concentrate on the pull-up exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention will become more fullyunderstood from the detailed description given herein below and theaccompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by likereference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thusdo not limit the example embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the preferred design of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a detail of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to illustrate the rotation of the handles;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate a user performing a pull-up;

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are three side views to illustrate a userperforming a pull-up;

FIG. 5 is a side view to illustrate the various forces that are acting;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative to the preferred design;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred design with additionaltools;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 89 are perspective views of an alternative to thepreferred design of the footrest;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative to the preferred design;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative to the preferred design;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an alternative to the preferreddesign;

FIG. 11B is a detail of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are two side views of an alternative to thepreferred design to illustrate a user performing a pull-up.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred design in accordance with the present invention allows theconnecting piece between the uprights and footrest to be adjusted inlength, so that the distance between the uprights and the footrest canbe adjusted to the user's height, or to the manner in which the userwants to perform the exercise. There are various tools known in theprior art which can serve as an adjustable connecting piece between theuprights and footrest. Examples of such known tools are: plates, pipes,tubes, ropes, belts, chains, rails, linear bearings, spindles andhydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

In the preferred design in accordance with the present invention, theconnecting piece between the uprights and the footrest consists of abaseplate and ropes, chains or belts that can be adjusted in length,connecting the baseplate and footrest. The rotatability of the uprightsis achieved by attaching the uprights to the baseplate by means ofhinges. Since the feet are pressed against the footrest during theentire exercise, the connection between baseplate and footrest is actedon in one direction only, making it possible to use ropes, chains orbelts. The advantages of ropes, chains or belts are that the dimensionsof the baseplate and footrest can remain limited so that the trainingdevice takes up little space when not in use. Its limited volume isparticularly important when the training device is used in a livingenvironment. Another advantage of ropes, chains or belts is that theconnection that has been established can be adjusted in length usingbasic tools.

In the preferred design in accordance with the present invention, thefootrest is connected to the baseplate at the same height as where thefeet are supported. This prevents torque forces acting on theconstruction of the footrest so that the footrest can be constructedwith a limited amount of material.

In the preferred design in accordance with the present invention, twouprights are connected at the top by a rod, which is fitted with atleast two handles. It prevents torque forces acting on the uprights andbaseplate, partly thanks to the uprights having been hinged to thebaseplate, so that the uprights and baseplate of the footrest can beconstructed with a limited amount of material.

In the preferred design in accordance with the present invention, thefootrest is designed in such a manner that the feet are pressed againstthe rest whilst the heels are resting on the ground so that the exercisecan be performed comfortably.

FIG. 1A shows a preferred design of the present invention, with twouprights 11 that are connected at the top by a rod 12. In accordancewith this preferred design, the rod 12 provides the handles for theuser's hands. The uprights 11 are connected to a baseplate 14, by meansof two hinges 13. Two brackets 15 are mounted on the baseplate throughwhich two ropes 16 are looped. The ropes are connected to the footreston the other side by means of eye bolts 17 and knots 18. The ropes 16are adjustable in length by means of two clamps 19, to which the ropes16 are connected by means of knots 20. The eye bolts 17 are attached tothe uprights 22 and attached to the beam 23 of the footrest. Theuprights 22 of the footrest are connected to baseplate 21 of thefootrest. The footrest in the preferred design shown consists of theassembly of two eye bolts 17, the beam 23, two uprights 22 and thebaseplate 21. FIG. 1B has zoomed in on a section of FIG. 1A and shows abracket 15, part of a rope 16, a hinge 13, part of an upright 11 andpart of the baseplate 14.

FIG. 2 shows the same preferred design of the present invention as FIG.1A, yet from a different perspective, in which the two uprights 11 andthe rod 12 are shown in three different random positions, therebyproviding an insight into the rotating operation of the uprights 11.

FIG. 3 shows the same preferred design of the present invention as FIG.1A, yet from a different perspective, with the user performinghorizontal pull-ups. The user uses his hands 25 to hold the rod 12,causing his feet 26 to be pressed against the beam 23 of the footrest.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C show the same preferred design of thepresent invention as FIG. 1A from a side view, with the user in threedifferent, random positions. NG. 4A shows the starting position in whichthe user is sitting on the ground, his hands 25 holding the rod 12 andhis feet 26 pressed against the beam 23, which cannot be seen from theside, of the footrest. FIG. 4B shows the position in which the user hasstretched out his body from the starting position, thus hanging from thetraining device. FIG. 4C shows the position in which the user has pulledhimself up.

FIG. 5 shows the same preferred design of the present invention as FIG.1A, yet from a side view, in which the user is shown in a randomposition whilst pulling up, together with the various forces that areacting. In FIG. 5, the gravitational force 50 is shown as a force actingon the center of the user's body. In FIG. 5, the gravitational force 50is disintegrated in two forces 51 and 52 acting on the training device.The user's hands exert force 51 on the rod 12. This three 51 also actson the uprights 11. The user's feet exert force 52 on the beam 23, whichcannot be seen from the side view. In FIG. 5, three 51 is disintegratedinto forces 53 and 54 and force 52 into 55 and 56. Forces 53 and 55 acton the cord 16 in opposite ways. Forces 54 and 56 are the forces exertedby the training device on the floor or ground. The sum of forces 54 and56 is equal to the sum of gravity 50 and the weight of the trainingdevice.

Alternatively, or additionally, a training device, in accordance withthe present invention, can be fitted with handles for the user's hands,which are or can be positioned in different ways. This can be achievedby attaching brackets to the uprights, or by attaching brackets to a rodwhich connects the uprights at the top, or by connecting the uprights atthe top by means of a construction which makes it possible for thehandles to be positioned differently. The advantage of handles withdifferent positions is that the exercise can be performed in differentways.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative to the preferred design of the presentinvention, from a perspective view. The parts in FIG. 6 which are thesame as in FIG. 1A are numbered in the same way. One difference betweenthe training devices in FIG. 1A and FIG. 6 is that the rod 12 in FIG. 1Ahas been replaced by a construction 61 in FIG. 6, making it possible touse the handles in different positions. Another difference is that thecords 16, the clamps 19 and eye bolts 17 in FIG. 1A have been replacedin FIG. 6 by two chains 62 and two screw hooks 63. The chains areconnected to the baseplate by means of two brackets 15 and to thefootrest by the screw hooks 63. The distance between the baseplate andfootrest can be changed by changing the links in which the chains 62 arehooked into the screw hooks 63.

FIG. 7 shows the same preferred design of the present invention as FIG.1A, from the same perspective view, with two brackets 71 and two hooks72 added to it. The brackets 71 provide for handles in a differentposition compared to the position of the handles provided by the rod 12.To this end, the brackets 71 have been attached to the hooks 72. Thehooks 72 suspend from the rod 12.

Alternatively or additionally, a training device in accordance with thepresent invention can be fitted with a footrest with a rotatable partagainst which user's feet can be pressed. Thanks to this rotatable part,the feet can rotate with the movement of the body whilst pulling up. Therotatable part can further be fitted with one or multiple springs,creating a preferred position for the rotatable part and thus reducingthe risk that the rotatable part rotates further than desired by theuser. For this same purpose, the footrest can further be fitted withstops, limiting the angle of movement of the rotatable part.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show an alternative to the preferred design of thefootrest of the present invention from two different perspective views.FIG. 8A shows a footrest with a rotatable part 81 against which theuser's feet can be pressed in two different random positions. Thesurface of the movable part 81 in FIG. 8A is ribbed so that the user'sfeet cannot slip. FIG. 8B shows the other side of the footrest fromwhich it is clear that the rotatable part 81 is connected to a shaft 83by means of two bearings 82. The shaft 83 is connected to either side ofthe uprights 22, which are attached to a baseplate 21. FIG. 8A and FIG.8B partially show the cords 16 which are connected to the footrest bytwo eye bolts 17 and knots 18.

Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in accordance with thepresent invention can be fitted with a footrest with a part againstwhich the user's feet can be pressed and which consists of a cushionfilled with a gas (mixture), liquid (mixture) or elastic material. Anexample of an elastic material as referred to in the preceding sentenceis foam rubber. This cushion enables the user's feet to rotate with themovement of the body whilst pulling up.

Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in accordance with thepresent invention can be fitted with uprights which, by means of one ormultiple tools, enable the user to change the distance between thehandles and their center of rotation, i.e. the height of the handles.There are various tools known in the prior art which make it possible tochange the height of the handles. One example of a common tool is foreach upright to be composed of two telescoping tubes or pipes, which canbe fixed at different positions in relation to each other. Anotherexample of a common tool involves a number of holes at different heightsin each upright, in which a locking pin can be inserted at the desiredheight. Subsequently, a bracket can be attached to this locking pin,which serves as handle. One advantage of changing the height of thehandles is that this allows the training device to be adjusted to theuser's physical dimensions, or to the manner in which the user wishes toperform the exercise.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative to the preferred design of the presentinvention from a perspective view, in which the height of the handlescan be changed. FIG. 9 shows two different, random heights of thehandles. The parts in FIG. 9 which are the same as in FIG. 1A arenumbered in the same way. One difference between the training devices inFIG. 1A and FIG. 9 is that the uprights 11 in FIG. 1A have been replacedby two pairs of telescoping tubes 91 and 92 and two locking pins 93 inFIG. 9. The two tubes 91 are connected by means of hinges 13 attached tothe baseplate 14 and fitted with a number of holes through which thelocking pins 93 can be inserted. The two tubes 92 are attached to therod 12 and each fitted with a hole through which the locking pins 93 canbe inserted. FIG. 9 shows the tubes 92 and locking pins 93 in twodifferent, random positions, in which the locking pins 93 fix theposition of tubes 92 in relation to tubes 91.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative to the preferred design of the presentinvention from a perspective view, in which the height of the handlescan be changed. The parts in FIG. 10 which are the same as in FIG. 6 arenumbered in the same way. One difference between the training devices inFIG. 6 and FIG. 10 is that the uprights 11 and construction 61 in FIG. 6have been replaced by uprights 101, locking pins 102, brackets 103 and,optionally, beam 104 in FIG. 10. The brackets 103 which serve as handlesfor the user are attached to the locking pins 102. The locking pins canbe inserted in the holes in the uprights 101 according to personalpreference, making it possible to change the height of the handles. Thebeam 104 is optional and ensures that the two uprights 101 maintain thesame angle of rotation in relation to the baseplate when pulling up.

Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in accordance with thepresent invention can be fitted with uprights which can be attached tothe footrest by means of a connecting piece, without hinges and abaseplate. The uprights are able to rotate in the direction of thefootrest thanks to the shape of the contact surface between the uprightsand the floor.

Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in accordance with thepresent invention can be fitted with a footrest which allows the heelsof the feet to rest on the ground. The advantage of this is that thefootrest can be constructed with a limited amount of material and, forexample, can consist of a bar or leather strap.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show an alternative to the preferred design of thepresent invention from a perspective view, in which the uprights areattached to the footrest by means of a connecting piece without hingesand a baseplate, which construction allows for the heels of the feet torest on the ground. The parts in FIG. 11A which are the same as in FIG.1A are numbered in the same way. One difference between the trainingdevices in FIG. 1A and FIG. 11A is that the baseplates 14 and hinges 15in FIG. 1A have been replaced by a circular bar 111, shafts 112 andrings 113 in FIG. 11A. Another difference between the training devicesin FIG. 1A and FIG. 11A is that the uprights 22, beam 23 and thebaseplate 21 of the footrest in FIG. 1A have been replaced by the beam114 in FIG. 11A. In FIG. 11A, the uprights 11 have been attached to thecircular bar 111. Two shafts 112 have been attached at the ends of thecircular bar 111. The shafts 112 have been fitted with flat ends whichserve as stops for two rings 113. Two ropes 16 are looped through therings 113, which can rotate around the shafts 112. The cords 16 areconnected to the beam 114 by means of two eye bolts 17 and two knots 18.The uprights 11 can rotate towards the footrest as the circular bar 111can roll over the ground. The user's feet can be pressed against thebeam 114, whilst the heels of the feet rest on the ground. FIG. 11B haszoomed in on a section of FIG. 11A and shows part of the circular bar111, part of a rope 16, a shaft 112 and a ring 113.

Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in accordance with thepresent invention can be used for pulling up your own body from alargely vertical body position. Two differences compared to thepreferred design for pulling up your own body from a largely horizontalbody position are that, at equal physical dimensions of the user, thedistance between the center of rotation of the handles and the footrestis smaller, and second, the distance between the handles and therotation center of the handles is larger.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show an alternative to the preferred design of thepresent invention from a side view, with the user in two different,random positions. The description of the parts of the training device isequal to the description of the parts in FIG. 1A. FIG. 12A shows theposition in which the user suspends from the rod 12 with both hands 121holding on. The feet 122 are pressed against the beam 23, which cannotbe seen from the side view, of the footrest. FIG. 12B shows the positionin which the user has pulled himself up.

1. A training device for pulling up your own body weight from a fully orpartially horizontal body position, consisting of at least one ormultiple uprights with at least two handles attached to it for theuser's hands, a footrest where the feet can be pressed against, and aconnecting piece between the uprights and the footrest, in whichconstruction the handles can rotate towards the footrest with the centerof rotation located below or close to the user's upper body, in such away that the user can perform a pull-up while the feet remain pressedagainst the rest.
 2. A training device according to claim 1, furthercomprising the connecting piece between the uprights and footrest beingadjustable in length.
 3. A training device as in any one of thepreceding claims, further comprising the handles for the user's handsare or can be positioned in different ways.
 4. A training device as inany one of the preceding claims, further comprising the footrest isfitted with a rotatable part.
 5. A training device according to claim 4,further comprising the rotatable part is fitted with one or multiplesprings, which provide the rotatable part with a preferred position. 6.A training device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising therotatable part is fitted with one or multiple stops that limit the angleof movement of the rotatable part.
 7. A training device as in any one ofthe preceding claims, further comprising the footrest is fitted with apart against which the user's feet can be pressed and which consists ofa cushion filled with a gas (mixture), liquid (mixture) or elasticmaterial.
 8. A training device as in any one of the preceding claims,further comprising the uprights have been fitted with one or multipletools that enable the user to change the distance between the handlesand the center of rotation of the handles.
 9. A training device as inany one of the preceding claims, further comprising pulling up your ownbody from a largely vertical body position for which, at equal physicaldimensions of the user, (i) the distance between the center of rotationof the handles and the footrest is smaller compared to pulling up yourown body from a largely horizontal body position and (ii) the distancebetween the handles and the center of rotation of the handles is larger.